Vietnamese Catholic Migrants and Their Missionary Identity: Historical and Contemporary Contributions

Journal of Identity and Migration Studies Volume 19, number 1, 2025, pp. 97-113

Anthony Le Duc

Abstract

The Catholic Church’s history is deeply intertwined with migration, as Catholic migrants have carried their faith and religious practices to new homes. This has significantly contributed to the Church’s development and growth over the last two millennia. Vietnamese Catholic migration, which dates back centuries, has been shaped by religious persecution, political upheavals, and economic opportunities. This paper situates Vietnamese Catholic migration within the broader narrative of global Catholic migration, examining its historical trajectories and contemporary realities. It highlights the contributions of Vietnamese Catholic migrants to the Church’s growth in diverse contexts and their ongoing role in its evangelization mission. Furthermore, this paper argues that migrant missionary discipleship represents a distinct and vital expression of the universal call to missionary discipleship shared by all Christians.